“At 0–0 in a World Cup quarter-final, Messi threads a no-look through ball between Dutch lines that turns a crowded flank into a clear lane for Molina, breaking the deadlock and pushing his late-career World Cup charge with assist number 348.”
Messi reaches double figures in World Cup goals as he delivers a nerveless penalty and a sublime disguised assist in a tense 120-minute quarter-final epic against the Netherlands, carrying 35-year-old Argentina through the pressure of his last realistic shot at the trophy.
At 2–0 up in a World Cup semi-final against Croatia, Messi’s twisting run on the right pulls Gvardiol apart and carves out the byline angle for Álvarez to tap in, sealing the final spot and logging career assist 349.
At 2–0 in a Champions League semi-final against Bayern, Messi threads a stoppage-time pass that releases Neymar to seal a 3–0 first-leg cushion, capping his masterclass with career assist number 183.
At 3–0 in a Copa América semi-final, Messi threads a late pass that slices open the tiring U.S. back line, springing Higuaín to seal a 4–0 rout and cap one of his most dominant tournament displays, adding career assist No. 213 and his 27th of the season.
At 1–1 in a World Cup knockout thriller against France, Messi’s quick-thinking touch and stabbed pass through a crowded box create the deflected opening for Mercado to restore Argentina’s lead, marking career assist number 251.